Courses

CM-345

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: HR-212

Department Code: JCMP

Through the study of major artists and recordings, the student will identify the compositional and instrumental practices of the jazz fusion idiom and apply those to writing assignments and projects. Jazz fusion is looked at broadly and may include a variety of idiomatic 20th-century world music and popular music techniques. The course does not follow a particular methodology, but rather encourages the student to find his/her own voice within the genre. The class begins with a historical survey of the jazz fusion idiom starting with Miles Davis's landmark Bitches Brew recording and continues with the music of the alumni of Davis' influential bands, up to today. As students apply techniques and ideas learned, they will gain perspective as to how jazz fusion is part of music as a whole and examine some of the underlying principles that make for good composition. A special section of the course will be dedicated to introducing students to some fundamentals of Indian ragas (scales) and to Konnikol (Indian rhythmic solfege) and their application to contemporary jazz-fusion composition. Groups such as Shakti, Miles From India, Trilok Gurtu, The Marc Rossi Group, and others have brought this information to the forefront, and it is helping to redefine jazz fusion.

CM-346

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall Only

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: HR-212

Department Code: JCMP

The class will expose students to and survey the two main Indian classical music systems: Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) along with Konnikol (South Indian rhythmic solfege). Selected Indian film music will also be examined. Students will compose, arrange, and create improvisational models using specific Indian music ideas and techniques as a source.

CM-355

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Arnold Friedman

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: CM-212, and CP-210 or CP-212

Department Code: COMP

Examination of representative solo vocal works from the 19th and 20th centuries (including works requiring nontraditional vocal techniques), with emphasis on dramatic organization, relationship of music to text, and appropriateness to the capacity of the trained singing voice. Special attention given to principles of vocal technique and speech articulation as they apply to composition, principles of vocal notation, and considerations of opera and musical theater. Students will be expected to write specified vocal passages based on assigned texts as well as participate in some improvisation and dramatic reading of texts in class.

CM-357

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Arnold Friedman

Semesters Offered: Fall Only

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: None

Department Code: COMP

Introduction to Electroacoustic Music for Composers is a survey course in electronic and computer music composition. Designed especially for students on Berklee composition tracks, the course is suitable for any student wishing to gain a comprehensive overview of the history and techniques of electronic music while learning to compose works at the computer for electronics alone or in combination with live instruments.

CM-361

Prerequisites: AR-111, HR-211, and one of the following: CM-311, ILPH-351, ILPH-357, LHAN-345, LHAN-346, or PSW-351

Department Code: COMP

Approaches to composition using ideas and aesthetic principles from a variety of non-Western musical traditions. Explorations of diverse concepts of rhythm, melody, timbre, and form as heard in the music of Africa, Asia, India, and South America. Assignments will include a substantial composition illustrating these principles.

CM-371

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: JCMP majors

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: AR-201

Department Code: JCMP

A systematic approach to the art of composing in the jazz idiom. Exploration of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic principles. Standard jazz song form. Analysis of jazz standards. Arranging considerations applied as a means of enhancing a composition. Projects for small jazz group required.

CM-373

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: JCMP majors

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: CM-371

Department Code: JCMP

Composition of non-song-form jazz pieces based on motivic development. Discussion of form and content as it applies to episodic composition in jazz. Examination of representative works by various jazz composers. Various assignments and the composition of an episodic five-minute piece are required.

CM-375

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: JCMP majors

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: AR-331 and CM-373

Department Code: JCMP

Composition of multisection extended jazz compositions. Discussion of form and orchestration as it applies to extended composition in jazz. Examination of representative works by various jazz composers. Composition of a short chamber piece without rhythm section and a large-scale ten-minute piece are required.

CM-385

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: HR-325

Department Code: JCMP

Survey and analysis of music growing out of the bebop jazz era. Extensive study of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Thelonious Monk. Discussion of blues forms and modal harmony used in the 1960s. Application of concepts through composition of original music.